Chelsea will play West Ham in the second London derby of the season on Saturday at Stamford Bridge at 15:00 UK time.
Reece James missed Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday at Saint Mary’s. Thomas Tuchel opted for four back four because of an injury to the England international.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek started the game against Southampton alongside Jorginho in the midfield for Chelsea but was substituted after the first half break and was replaced by Mateo Kovacic after picking a knock.
N’Golo Kante was injured in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham. We do not expect the French international to be back in action soon.
However, Thomas Tuchel has disclosed that Reece James and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are available for the West Ham clash.
What did Thomas Tuchel say about the fitness of Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N’Golo Kante?
Thomas Tuchel told reporters at a press conference ahead of West Ham Clash, saying: “Both (Reece James and Ruben Loftus-Cheek) are back in training and available. It’s only N’Golo out. Everybody else is in training. A group of 19 players. It will be with Auba, and Denis Zaka will be 21 players plus goalkeepers.”
Thomas Tuchel also added that the players are ready to bounce back after the defeat of Southampton.
Thomas Tuchel revealed: “We need to (toughen up). All of us. We will use the end of the transfer period. We will use the energy and stability that gives you when you know which is the group, the players in the squad, and who fights for what. We will use this stability we need to grow, build the group, and positively influence each other.
“We will use this momentum. We could see it yesterday and today on the pitch. Was not a lot of training, or intense training, because of the two matches in a week? I saw a reaction yesterday. Today we have a good session.
“The cards are on the table. I need to choose a team for tomorrow. From there we go. We will use it as a new start to kick-start the season. It is needed. We have our reasons for this. We need to leave it behind us and not think so much about what is going wrong. We have the chance to start the season new tomorrow, a home game with the squad we have and players. I have the feeling everybody is ready to show up.”
The German admitted his players are not playing well and have already discussed with them the need to improve and be competitive again.
Chelsea has won only two games this season out of possible 5 matches.
Asked if he has discussed with players their poor performances recently, he said: “Yes (discussed it with players), but not too much because I was honestly waiting until today. Yesterday was afternoon training and until 11 at night was the transfer window open.
“I did not want to engage in these important talks with players who maybe were not 100 percent committed because they were trying to go out. For me was more important to wait until today. From now on, we will do everything to influence this group in the way we want and to sharpen our attitude to a level that is needed to be competitive on a higher level.
“We believe we can be more competitive than we are at the moment. It’s on us to show. It’s on me to bring it out of the group and then on the players to bring it out on the pitch.”
